DANELLE J. SMITH – Partner Omaha, Nebraska phone: 402.333.4053 fax: 402.333.4761 email: email me

Ms. Smith joined the firm in 2006 and became a partner in 2009.

TRIBAL AFFILIATION: Member, Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska

PRACTICE AREAS: Tribal economic development and corporate law; finance; taxation; gaming; employment; education; tribal ordinance and code drafting; and tribal government.

ADMISSIONS: Supreme Court for the State of Nebraska; U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska; Winnebago Tribal Court. 

EDUCATION: University of Iowa School of Law (J.D., 2003); Wayne State College, NE (B.S. Business/Human Resource Management, 1998).

TEACHING POSITIONS: Adjunct Instructor, Business and Federal Indian Law, Little Priest Tribal College, Winnebago, Nebraska.
 
PRIOR LEGAL EXPERIENCE: General Counsel, Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska and Ho-Chunk, Inc. (2003-present); Legal Extern, Iowa City Attorneys Office and Iowa City Human Rights Commission (2003); Legal Intern, Native American Rights Fund (2002); Legal Intern, Ho-Chunk, Inc. (2001). 

ASSOCIATIONS, ACTIVITIES AND AWARDS: National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) “Native American 40 under 40” award recipient (2009). Thurston County Board of Supervisors Vice Chairperson (2004-present); Nebraska Native American Leadership Alliance;  Federal Bar Association Indian Law Section; Nebraska State Bar Association; National Native American Bar Association; Americans for Indian Opportunity Ambassadors Program Alumni (Class of 1998).

Prior to joining the firm in 2006, Ms. Smith worked two years as General Counsel and one year as Assistant General Counsel for the Winnebago Tribe and Ho-Chunk, Inc., the Tribe’s economic development corporation. As General Counsel, she was responsible for managing all legal affairs of the Tribe including the tribal government, tribal programs, gaming entities and tribally-owned companies.

As an Extern with the Iowa City Attorney’s Office, she prosecuted traffic and simple misdemeanor cases in Magistrate Court and provided research assistance to attorneys in a variety of service areas provided by the city government including housing, property, employment & civil litigation. She also assisted with investigating employment discrimination complaints received by the Iowa City Human Rights Commission.

Working with the Native American Rights Fund’s Washington, D.C office as an intern also provided Ms. Smith with added experience in federal Indian law. The non-profit firm represents tribes & tribal organizations in cases of national significance, and significant projects included research for the Cobell v. Norton trust fund litigation and the Tribal Supreme Court Project.

While in law school, Ms. Smith was co-Chair of the Native American Law Students Association and served as district representative on the National Native American Law Students Association Board of Directors. Ms. Smith is also active in her community and state through participation on various boards and in volunteer activities.